A workshop entitled “Mechanisms for establishing the Higher Press Council and self-regulation” began today, Tuesday, in Nouakchott. It is organised jointly by the Mauritanian Journalists’ Association and the Journalists’ Union, in cooperation with the International Federation of Journalists.
In his address, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Administrative Modernisation, acting Minister of Culture, Handicrafts and Relations with Parliament, Mr Camara Salem Mohamed, highlighted the importance of the workshop and said that the government would give close attention to its resulting recommendations and observations.
He said that reforming the press sector requires attention to journalistic ethics and that journalists themselves must play an important role in its reform and development.
International Federation of Journalists President Mr Younes Mjahed thanked everyone and said he was honoured to attend the workshop and exchange views with media colleagues on key media issues, press freedom and the organisation of the profession.
He added that the International Federation consists mainly of unions and associations of working journalists and differs from other organisations in its approach to safeguarding freedoms within a framework of professionalism, journalistic ethics and competence.
Mauritanian Journalists’ Association President Mr Moussa Ould Behli said that the development of the press must be accompanied by oversight and self-regulation by journalists so that they organise the sector themselves. He referred to the Association’s efforts to establish a Higher Press Council capable of reforming and cleaning up the sector, enabling the press to fulfil its watchdog role as the fourth estate and laying the foundations for a successful and responsible press.
Mauritanian Journalists’ Union President Mr Mohamed Salem Ould Dah welcomed the International Federation of Journalists President’s visit to Mauritania. He explained that the state of the Mauritanian press requires greater attention to structural problems, foremost the organisational matters that regulate the profession according to principles of practice recognised throughout the world.
He added that Mauritania does not face many problems regarding media freedom but has many institutional problems that hinder the profession’s development. This requires serious awareness from everyone and the creation of sound organisational mechanisms to restore the profession’s credibility as a supporter of pluralism in its developmental and political dimensions.
The workshop was attended by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Culture, Handicrafts and Relations with Parliament, Dr Ahmed Ould Abbah Ould Sidi Ahmed, directors of media organisations and several media professionals.